Perth is one of the most isolated major cities in the world. If you were to look at it from above at night, you would see the city and then just darkness surrounding it for miles because it is enclosed by forest.

So why would you want to visit Perth? Besides its nearly perfect temperature year wide with glowing sunshine to match, there are a lot of unique things to do in and around Perth. 

Before we start, if you’re looking for accommodation in Perth, take a look at The Sebel.

Day 1 in Perth: Put on your walking shoes, we are exploring the city!

Spend your first day getting to know the city of Perth.

Getting around the city is easy with public transport; the buses on the CAT line are free to ride. If you prefer, Perth is also a walk and cycle-friendly city.

perth night

Prepare your camera for Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Start your day at Kings Park and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and the Swan River.

You could easily spend the better half of your morning strolling around the park and discovering the native fragrant flora in the garden.

The park is also the home of many war memorial structures and plaques,

Stroll around Perth Cultural Centre

Spend the afternoon at a trendy restaurant for lunch in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. This area is a unique place to explore within Perth with a plethora of art galleries, museums and libraries that you could visit.

As day fades to night, you can find a fine selection of hip bars to hang out in as you brush elbows with the locals.

See a flick with Rooftop Movies

One of the coolest things that you can do in Perth in the evening is to stop by the City of Perth Roe Street carpark and join in on a Rooftop Movies event.

From November to March, watch a movie while relaxing in a bean bag chair as the city skyline surrounds you. They play a new film every day; six days a week; accommodating many different genres of film. 

Day 2 in Perth: Get your day pack ready, we are going on an adventure to Fremantle!

Head south to Fremantle; a small, artsy port city that lies just south of Perth. Fremantle is full of eccentric markets, historical buildings, and a pier that connects you to some of the cutest animals in the world.

Rottnest island

Stop by the Fremantle Markets

Venture to Fremantle early so you can stop at the famous Fremantle Markets to stock up on some fresh fruit for the day.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this remarkable Victorian building fills with vendors selling fresh produce, delicious baked pastries and other hand-made goods. 

Roam the corridors of Fremantle Prison

A unique thing to see just outside Perth is this UNESCO World Heritage site, the Fremantle Prison. It did not only gain notoriety for its size, but also for the fact that it was built by the convicts that it imprisoned.

Fremantle Prison has been out of commission since 1991 and holds a lot of history within its walls that you can explore with a guided tour.

Ferry over to Rottnest Island

From Fremantle it only takes around 30 minutes to get to Rottnest Island. You will want to catch the ferry early so that you can spend the day on Rotto, as there is a bunch of fun things to do.

If you chose to skip the market, there are vendors at the harbor that you can also shop for snacks to take with you to the island. 

Visit the happiest animals on Earth

Rottnest Island is the home of the adorable quokka, a small marsupial that garnered popularity by being incredibly photogenic. Quokkas are indigenous to Rotto and can be found wandering freely around the island.

Although they may look cute, keep in mind that these are wild animals and you should not touch or feed them. 

Relax on one of the sandy beaches

Australia is known for having picturesque beaches and Rottnest Island has some of the finest. Choose out of 63 sandy shores to sunbathe, swim or surf. If you love exploring underwater, there are many spots to snorkel or dive off the coast as well.

Once the day has finished, you can either head back to Perth or stay in one of the luxurious resorts on the Island and take in the breathtaking sunset at The Basin.

Day 3 in Perth: Put on your relaxing clothes, we are spending the day in Swan Valley!

The most prominent feature of Perth is Swan Valley and River which is filled with vineyards and parks that you can spend the day at.

swan valley vineyard

Wine tour in Swan Valley

It’s no doubt that some of the best wine in Australia hail from Swan Valley. The lush weather is ideal for cultivating quality wine and you can find over 40 vineyards sprinkled around the area.

Whether you choose to go on a tour or visit your favorite winery, you can be sure that you will be greeted with a glass of wine and pleasant country-side hospitality.

Cruise down Swan River

Hop on a cruise from Perth to Fremantle and enjoy the impressive views that Perth has to offer. It is a great opportunity to see Perth from a different perspective.

Aside from the scenic skyline of Perth, you can also see many notable landmarks such as the Bell Tower and the restored Swan Brewery.

Try your hand at Supa Golf

Supa Golf is an adaptation of the traditional sport originating in Perth. The main change is the size of the ball, which makes the game a little less tedious and a lot more enjoyable. You can find many Supa Golf clubs around Swan Valley that are frequented by the locals.

Final Thoughts On 3 Days In Perth

If you are heading to Perth, there are so many distinctive things to do.

Perth locals really appreciate spending time together so you can always find cool events around the city to hang out with other travelers or meet new friends. 

Wondering how many days in Perth you’ll need? We recommend a minimum of 3 days, but if you wish to do a lot of day trips around Perth, you may want to add a few extra days.

Want to get more travel tips for Australia? Read one of the following blog posts:

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


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☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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